Agenda and minutes

The election of a chair or deputy was not required. 

Major Andrew Gaudion of the Salvation Army Enfield gave the blessing. 

The Mayor thanked Major Gaudion for his blessing and made the following announcements. 

1.               Condolences

Condolences were expressed to the families of former councillors Pat Dawson (who had served from 1982 to 1998 for Oakwood Ward) and Alex Mattingly (also freeman of the borough who had served from 1982-2006 for Craig Park and Edmonton Green Wards) and to the people of Brussels, on account of the terrible events that had taken place on the previous day. 

All present joined in a minutes silence in remembrance. 

Former Councillors Pat Dawson, and Alex Mattingly, also freeman of the borough, Councillor Doug Taylor and Councillor Terry Neville added their condolences to the victims in Brussels and in memory of Pat Dawson and Alex Mattingly. 

Councillor Taylor paid tribute to Alex Mattingly as a hardworking and conscientious member of the Council, a character of whom members on both sides would have good memories.  He would be much missed. 

Councillor Neville praised Pat Dawson as very dedicated ward member with a good sense of humour who had twice acted as consort to the Mayor.  She had been a community stalwart who after stepping down had also played a key role in Enfield in Bloom.  He praised Alex Mattingly as a real man of courage and principle, who had suffered much from ill health, but had never let his disability get in the way: a decent man, a very nice chap.  He felt that the borough had lost two good people. 

Andy Love, former MP for Edmonton, also paid tribute to Alex Mattingly, for his long service to the borough as a Labour member and trade unionist. 

Councillor Orhan gave the Council’s condolences to the people of Ankara and Istanbul who had lost friends and relatives in recent terrorist attacks, saying that members shared their sadness and loss. 

2.               Update on Mayoral Engagements

The Mayor reported that this was her last business meeting as Chair of the Council.  She had enjoyed her time as mayor and the opportunities she had had to meet so many people from so many different communities and denominations. She had attended over 400 engagements: particular highlights were meeting Her Royal Highness the Queen, the Enfield Parade of Light and the Lord Mayor of London events.  

3.               Thanks

The Mayor thanked everyone who had helped and supported her and her charity in aid of dementia during her year as Mayor: everyone in Democratic Services, all council staff, all the directors and senior officials.  She thanked John Austin, Asmat Hussain, James Kinsella, Penelope Williams and Rob Leak, wished James Kinsella luck in his new role, and welcomed Kathy Constantinou to hers. 

The Mayor also thanked Alison Brookes, Mayoral Services Manager, for bearing and coping with her heavy demands, as well as Lisa McEwan, Koulla Panaretou and Clare Bryant for being so nice and supportive, for helping to arrange fundraising events, including the very successful dementia awareness seminar attended by many partners, healthcare agencies and carers. 

The Mayor thanked her chauffeurs who had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 155.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2016 as a correct record. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2016 were agreed as a correct record. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Erin Celebi, Nick Dines, Sarah Doyle, Christine Hamilton, Suna Hurman, David Lee Sanders, Alan Sitkin, Ozzie Uzoanya and Haydar Ulus.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Joanne Laban. 

Members are asked to identify any disclosable pecuniary interests, other pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests relevant to items on the agenda. 

Before inviting members to declare any interests, the Mayor asked Asmat Hussain, as Monitoring Officer to make a short statement regarding the declaration of interests’ requirements in relation to items 7, 12 and 15.2 on the agenda. 

Item 7 – Opposition Business

The Monitoring Officer advised that members who were school governors, in the interests of openness and transparency, to declare this under “non-pecuniary interests”.  Members who declared a non-pecuniary interest would be able to stay in the meeting and vote.

Item 12 - Members Allowances Scheme

Councillors had a standard exemption in the Constitution relating to members allowances, so no declaration of interests were required for this item.  Members would be able to remain in the meeting and vote on the issue. 

Item 15.2 – Motion on the Housing and Planning Bill

The Monitoring Officer reported that she had agreed to a dispensation for 26 Labour Councillors who felt that they might have disclosable pecuniary interests as they; their family; friends and close associates were tenants or landlords impacted by this bill.  The dispensation was granted for this meeting only, on the grounds that it would impede the transaction of the business and/or affect the political balance of the council.  These members were: 

Councillor Abdul Abdullahi

Councillor Ali Bakir

Councillor Dinah Barry

Councillor Chris Bond

Councillor Alev Cazimoglu

Councillor Nesil Cazimoglu

Councillor Bambos Charalambous

Councillor Katherine Chibah

Councillor Guney Dogan

Councillor Christiana During

Councillor Christine Hamilton

Councillor Ahmet Hassan

Councillor Achilleas Georgiou

Councillor Doris Jiagge

Councillor Nneka Keazor

Councillor Adeline Kepez

Councillor Bernadette Lappage

Councillor Dino Lemonides

Councillor Mary Maguire

Councillor Ayfer Orhan

Councillor Ahmet Oykener

Councillor Vicki Pite

Councillor George Savva

Councillor Andrew Stafford

Councillor Claire Stewart

Councillor Doug Taylor

The Councillor Conduct Committee on 21 March 2016 had agreed a dispensation to Councillor Celebi, again for this meeting only, in relation to a disclosable pecuniary interest.  Councillor Celebi is a landlord and represents other landlords in the borough.  The dispensation will enable her to represent her constituent landlords, tenants and residents.

Having noted the advice provided the following interests were also declared at the meeting: 

Agenda Item 7 Opposition Business

·       Councillor Bambos Charalambous declared a disclosable pecuniary interest due to a family member having an interest in an academy trust.

·       Councillor Toby Simon declared a non-pecuniary interest as the Chair of an Edmonton Primary School Governing Body.

·       Councillor Abdullahi declared a non-pecuniary interest as a school governor. 

·       Councillor Savva declared a non-pecuniary interest as a school governor. 

·       Councillor Fonyonga declared a non-pecuniary interest as a school governor.

·       Councillor Bond declared a non-pecuniary interest as a school governor.

·       Councillor Achilleas Georgiou declared a non-pecuniary interest as a school governor.

·       Councillor Jason Charalambous declared a non-pecuniary interest as a school governor.

·       Councillor Doris Jiagge declared a non-pecuniary interest as a school governor

·       Councillor Edward Smith declared a non-pecuniary interest as a school governor

·       Councillor Peter Fallart declared a non-pecuniary interest as a school governor.

·       Councillor Mike Rye declared a non-pecuniary interest as a school governor.

·       Councillor Vince declared a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 158.

An issues paper prepared by the Opposition Group is attached for the consideration of Council.

The Council rules relating to Opposition Business are also attached for information.

Councillor Alessandro Georgiou introduced the issues paper, prepared by the Opposition Group.  Issues highlighted were as follows: 

1.          He began by thanking all Enfield teachers, governors and schools for helping children to achieve their potential.

2.          Pride in the achievements of all free schools and academies and of the establishment of the 2010 Academies Act, which had enabled the setting up of more free schools and academies giving teachers and schools more autonomy to meet local demands, tailor lessons, as well as setting their own term dates, pay and conditions.

3.          That all funding for these schools, including the costs of acquiring the land and construction was met by Central Government, not the local authority.   

4.          Concerns that opposing and not encouraging, the building of free schools and academies in Enfield, had resulted in increased Council debt, higher levels of capital expenditure, leading to higher interest rates and Council Tax increases, when money could have been saved using the resources for free schools and academies offered by Central Government.  

5.          With the continuing pressure on school places, which was expected to grow still more by 2020, the Council should welcome this means of providing school places.

6.          Whilst recognising that Enfield was doing well in terms of educational attainment at the primary level, there was concern about the high level of absenteeism and long term absence in Enfield’s primary schools. 

7.          At the secondary level, while acknowledging that absence rates were at the national average, there was alarm at the below the national average educational performance of Enfield children. 

8.          Concern about the gap in educational attainment between pupils who have English as a second language and those with English as a first language.  In this, Enfield was the third worst performing borough in London.  It was felt that this needed to be addressed urgently, not only to benefit those who have English as a second language but also because of the impact on native speakers. 

9.          Whilst blessing all teachers for doing their best, he saw the adoption of more free schools and academies as a chance to turnaround schools that were failing and to enable more children to reach their potential. 

Councillor Ayfer Orhan, Cabinet Member for Education, Children’s Services and Protection responded on behalf of the Majority Group highlighting: 

1.          Her view that the facts in the opposition paper were either misrepresented or inaccurate.

2.          Whilst agreeing that there were pressing issues, the department and schools had worked diligently to secure school places and many schools were making good or outstanding progress. 

3.          The 2015 GCSE results showed that maintained schools were doing better than academy schools:  63% of maintained schools achieved a GCSE pass rate of 63% at A*- C compared with 43.1% of academies.  Academy results were below the national average and getting worse. 

4.          One of the borough’s free schools had been taken over by another and one academy was under investigation.  OfSTED judgements presented a mixed picture.  One school which was now struggling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 159.

To receive a report from the Director of Regeneration and Environment seeking Council’s formal approval of the adoption of the Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule operational as of 1 April 2016.

(Report No.198A)

(Key decision – reference number 4247)

Members are asked to note that the recommendations in the report are due to be considered for endorsement and recommendation on to Council, at the Cabinet meeting to be held on 15 March 2016. 

The decision made by Cabinet on 15 March 2016 will be reported to Council on the update sheet tabled at the meeting. 

Councillor Taylor moved and Councillor Chibah seconded a report (Report No:  198A) from the Director of Regeneration and Environment seeking the Council’s formal approval to the adoption of the Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule operational as of 1 April 2016. 

NOTED

1.               That the recommendations in the report were agreed by Cabinet on 15 March 2016 with the adoption of regulation 123 List and the adoption of the instalment policy referred to Council for final approval. 

2.               Concerns of the Opposition Group in relation to:

·       The differential CIL rates which were seen as detrimental to development. 

·       The view that the levy had been set too high: that it would be seen as an additional tax which would deter development in the borough. 

·       By excluding Meridian Water from the levy, other building projects would be subsidising its development. 

·       The delay in implementation of the CIL, which was felt to have cost the Council revenue.  

·       The reluctance of the authority to use its compulsory purchase powers for Meridian Water, and the delays to the Meridian Water project as a whole. 

3.               Support for infrastructure development, for building strong communities and economic growth and helping to address inequality.

4.               The view that CIL will enable the pooling of money for a broad range of projects. 

5.               Exempting Meridian Water from the levy had been agreed after careful consideration and on the advice of independent experts, a device that had been successful in neighbouring boroughs. 

6.               Levels would be reviewed after two years, to test its economic viability. 

7.               The view that there was no problem attracting developers to the borough.

8.               The length of time taken to develop the scheme was due to the amount of consultation undertaken. 

9.               The support of the Mayor of London and the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the Meridian Water scheme. 

10.           The level at which the levy has been set was comparable with neighbouring boroughs and had been subject to a viability assessment. 

Following the debate the recommendations in the report were put to the vote with the following result:

For:  32

Against:  3

Abstentions:  12

AGREED

1.              The adoption of the Enfield Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule as recommended by the Inspector (Annex 1), to take effect on the 1^st April 2016, in accordance with Section 213 of the Planning Act 2008 and Regulation 25 of the CIL Regulations.

2.              The adoption of the Regulation 123 List (Annex 2) is to take effect on the 1^st April 2016, in accordance with Section 216 of the Planning Act 2008, Regulation 123(4) of the CIL Regulations and the relevant sections of the National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) for CIL.

3.              The adoption of the Instalment Policy (Annex 3), to take effect on 1^st April 2016 in accordance with Regulation 69B of the CIL Regulations.

Following the item on the Community Infrastructure Levy Councillor Stewart moved and Councillor Taylor seconded a separate proposal under paragraph 2.2(b) of the Council Procedure Rules to change the order of items on the agenda so that the following were dealt with as the next items of business:

•    Item 15.2: In the name of Councillor Nesil Cazimoglu regarding the Government’s new housing and planning bill.

·   Motion 15.1: In the name of Councillor Barry on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

·   Motion 15.5: In the name of Councillor Alessandro Georgiou on homelessness. 

The change in order of the agenda was put to the vote and agreed.

For:  32

Against: 15

Abstentions:  0

Please note the minutes reflect the order in which the items were dealt with at the meeting.

15.1    In the name of Councillor Barry:

“If the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is agreed, the people of Enfield will lose many of the regulations that protect their environment, their food and their rights as workers.

A report commissioned by the Government concluded that TTIP offers “few or no benefits to the UK while having meaningful economic and political costs.”

This Council resolves:

•         To call on the Government to put the national interests of our people above those of big businesses and to reject this agreement.

•         To write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, local MPs, MLAs, and all London MEPs raising our serious concerns about the impact of TTIP on local authorities and the secrecy of the negotiating process.

•         To write to the Local Government Association to raise our serious concerns about the impact of TTIP on local authorities and ask them to raise these with Government on our behalf.

•         To call for an impact assessment on the impact of TTIP on local authorities.

•         To publicise the Council’s concerns about TTIP; join with other local authorities which are opposed to TTIP across Europe and work with local campaigners to raise awareness about the problems of TTIP.

•         To contact the local authorities of municipalities twinned with Enfield asking them to consider passing a similar motion on TTIP.”

15.2    In the name of Councillor Nesil Cazimoglu:

“The country, particularly London, is facing a housing crisis and residents in Enfield are feeling the effects.  This Council believes that the government’s Housing and Planning Bill will only make the situation worse; and that the only real solution is to build more homes.

House building is at its lowest since the 1920’s; private rents have increased by 37% in the past five years and the government continue to use billions of pounds of public money to subsidise private landlords through housing benefit.

The Housing and Planning Bill would:

•         Forces ‘high-value’ council homes to be sold on the open market;

•         Extend the right-to-buy to housing association tenants and

•         Undermine section 106 requirements on private developers to provide affordable homes

There is no commitment in the Bill that affordable homes will be replaced like-for-like in the local area.

This Council resolves that the Bill undermines localism by granting the Secretary of State the power to override local plans, to mandate rents for social tenants and to impose a levy on stock-holding councils, violating the terms of the Housing Revenue Account self-financing deal.

This Council calls on the government to grant local authorities the powers and financial ability to increase the supply of housing for our residents.  Councils must be given the financial flexibilities they need to be able to scale up housing development, both in partnership and directly.”

15.3    In the name of Councillor Alessandro Georgiou:

 “This Council recognises that the Union Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a symbol of  ...  view the full agenda text for item 162.

Councillor Nesil Cazimoglu moved and Councillor Oykener seconded the following motion:

“The country, particularly London, is facing a housing crisis and residents in Enfield are feeling the effects.  This Council believes that the government’s Housing and Planning Bill will only make the situation worse; and that the only real solution is to build more homes.

House building is at its lowest since the 1920’s; private rents have increased by 37% in the past five years and the government continue to use billions of pounds of public money to subsidise private landlords through housing benefit.

The Housing and Planning Bill would:

•         Forces ‘high-value’ council homes to be sold on the open market;

•         Extend the right-to-buy to housing association tenants and

•         Undermine section 106 requirements on private developers to provide affordable homes

There is no commitment in the Bill that affordable homes will be replaced like-for-like in the local area.

This Council resolves that the Bill undermines localism by granting the Secretary of State the power to override local plans, to mandate rents for social tenants and to impose a levy on stock-holding councils, violating the terms of the Housing Revenue Account self-financing deal.

This Council calls on the government to grant local authorities the powers and financial ability to increase the supply of housing for our residents.  Councils must be given the financial flexibilities they need to be able to scale up housing development, both in partnership and directly.”

Following a short debate the motion was put to the vote and agreed with the following result:

For: 29

Against: 12

Abstentions: 0

Twenty six Labour councillors listed under the declaration of interests had received a dispensation in relation to their interests in this motion. 

The following councillors declared their disclosable pecuniary interests: Councillors Jason Charalambous, Councillor Don McGowan, Councillor Alessandro Georgiou and Nesimi Erbil.  They withdrew from the meeting and did not take part in the discussion or vote on the motion. 

1.2     Councillor Barry moved and Councillor Chibah seconded the following motion:

“If the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is agreed, the people of Enfield will lose many of the regulations that protect their environment, their food and their rights as workers.

A report commissioned by the Government concluded that TTIP offers “few or no benefits to the UK while having meaningful economic and political costs.”

This Council resolves:

•         To call on the Government to put the national interests of our people above those of big businesses and to reject this agreement.

•         To write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, local MPs, MLAs, and all London MEPs raising our serious concerns about the impact of TTIP on local authorities and the secrecy of the negotiating process.

•         To write to the Local Government Association to raise our serious concerns about the impact of TTIP on local authorities and ask them to raise these with Government on our behalf.

•         To call for an impact assessment on the impact  ...  view the full minutes text for item 162.

The Mayor advised, at this stage of the meeting, that the time available to complete the agenda had now elapsed so Council Procedure Rule 8 would apply.

NOTED that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8 (page 4-8 – Part 4), the remaining items of business on the Council agenda were considered without debate.

To receive a report from the Director of Regeneration and Environment setting out a number of recommendations to progress the small housing sites phase 2 delivery.                                                                         (Report No.199A)    

    (Key decision – reference number 4161)

The report will need to be read in conjunction with Report No: 201A on the Part 2 Council agenda.

Members are asked to note that the attached report is due to be considered by Cabinet on 15 March 2016.  Subject to Cabinet approval of the recommendations, Council is being asked to approve the inclusion of the capital budgets for the scheme, in the HRA Capital Programme, as detailed in the Part 2 report.   

The decision made by Cabinet on 15 March 2016 will be reported to Council on the update sheet tabled at the meeting. 

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Regeneration & Environment (Report No: 199A) setting out a number of recommendations to progress the small housing sites phase 2 delivery. 

NOTED 

1.               That the report had been submitted in conjunction with Report No:  201A on the Part 2 Agenda which contained exempt information; the detailed recommendations for consideration in relation to Capital funding.

2.               That Cabinet on 15 March 2016 agreed the recommendations in the report and recommended that Council approve the inclusion of the capital budgets for the scheme in the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme as detailed in the part 2 report. 

AGREED to note that Cabinet had agreed the following recommendations: 

1.       The proposal to dispose of the homes to be constructed on the sites at Padstow Road, Perry Mead, and Hedge Hill as private homes.

2.       That in the event that additional GLA Grant Funding can be secured, this funding be used to make as many of the 13 new homes at Padstow Road, Perry mead and Hedge Hill more affordable and to be sold as shared-equity or shared ownership homes.

3.       To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Environment to appoint a sales agent to assist with the disposal of these new homes, and note that homes will be marketed to local residents first.

4.       To delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Legal and Governance Services to enter into agreements for the disposal of these new homes.

5.       To agree to set the rents on the Ordnance Road development of 15 new homes at affordable rent levels, as per the explanation at paragraph 3.22-3.25 of the report.

6.       To delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Environment, and the Assistant Director Legal and Governance Services to agree the terms and enter into such other agreements as are required to ensure the completion and occupation on the new homes to be constructed on the sites at Ordnance Road, Padstow Road, Perry Mead, and Hedge Hill.

7.       To authorise the proposed approach to governance for the next groups of Phase 2 sites within the Small Housing Sites Rolling Programme as explained in paragraph 3.26-3.30 of the report.

To note that the Conservative Group would have abstained on the vote on this report. 

To receive a report from the Assistant Director of Legal and Governance asking for approval to change the name of the Audit Committee to Audit and Risk Management Committee and detailing amendments to the committee’s terms of reference.                                                            (Report No:  208A)

To note that these changes were agreed by the Audit Committee on 3 March 2016 and have been cleared through the Member and Democratic Services Group. 

RECEIVED the report (No: 208A) from the Assistant Director Legal and Governance asking for approval to change the name of the Audit Committee to Audit and Risk management Committee detailing amendments to the committee’s terms of reference. 

NOTED that these changes were agreed by the Audit Committee on 3 March 2016 and have been cleared through the Member and Democratic Services Group. 

AGREED

1.               That the name of the Audit Committee be amended to the Audit and Risk Management Committee to better reflect the role played by the committee in the governance of the Council.

2.               The changes to the Audit Committee Terms of Reference, as detailed within the attached appendix. 

To receive a report from the Director of Regeneration and Environment seeking approval to the following changes to the Housing Board Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix A to the report.     

                                                                                          (Report No: 207)

Members are asked to note that these changes have been cleared by the Member and Democratic Services Group. 

RECEIVED the report (Report No: 207) of the Director of Regeneration and Environment seeking approval to the changes to the Housing Board Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix A to the report.

NOTED that these changes have been cleared by the Member and Democratic Services Group. 

AGREED that the proposals to increase the representation of tenants and leaseholders (from three to four), increase the representation of independent members (from one to three), delete the Chair of Enfield Homes, and to create three sub groups to sit below the main board are approved as detailed in the Terms of Reference attached as Appendix 1 to the report. 

To note that the Conservative Group would have moved an amendment and abstained on this item if it had been discussed. 

The Members’ Allowances Scheme forms Part 6 of the Constitution.  Paragraph 6.3 (c) states that “Annual Increases in allowances will be linked to average earnings, for the period ending the previous March of each year.  New rates will be effective from the new Municipal year.”

When considering the Scheme for the 2015/2016 financial year, Council resolved:  “That the current Members Allowances Scheme is re-approved and that the automatic increase in allowances by the average earnings as at March not be implemented for the 2015/16 financial year.”

There is a need to consider the level of allowances payable under the scheme for 2016/17 with Council asked to consider the following recommendation.

RECOMMENDATION

Council is invited to confirm that the automatic increase in allowances by the average earnings as at March is again not implemented and to re-approve the current Members’ Allowances Scheme for the 2016/2017 financial year, as set out in Part 6 of the Constitution, on that basis.

NOTED

1.               The Members Allowances Scheme forms Part 6 of the Constitution. Paragraph 6.3 (c) states that “Annual Increases in Allowances will be linked to average earnings, for the period ending the previous March of each year.  New rates will be effective from the new municipal year.”

2.               When considering the Scheme for the 2015/16 financial year, Council resolved “That the current Members Allowances Scheme is reapproved and that the automatic increase in allowances by the average earnings as at March not be implemented for the 2015/16 municipal year.”

3.               Council were asked to consider the level of allowances payable under the scheme for 2016/17.    

AGREED to confirm that the automatic increase in allowances by the average earnings as at March is again not implemented and to re-approve the current Members Allowances Scheme for the 2016/17 financial year, as set out in Part 6 of the Constitution on that basis. 

Members may be aware that the Head of Democratic and Registration Services (Peter Stanyon) has been Deputy Electoral Registration Officer since 2009.  The Chief Executive is appointed as Electoral Registration Officer.

As a result of the departure of the Head of Democratic and Registration Services from the Council’s service with effect from 4 April 2016, there is a need to appoint a new Deputy Electoral Registration Officer in accordance with the provisions of section 52(2) of the Representation of the People Act 1983.

As this role requires a full time resource it is recommended that the Interim Head of Elections and Governance (James Kinsella) be appointed as Deputy Electoral Registration Officer.

RECOMMENDATION

That Council formally approve the change in Deputy Electoral Registration Officer arrangements with the Interim Head of Elections and Governance (James Kinsella) being appointed with effect from 4 April 2016.

NOTED

1.               That the Head of Democratic and Registration Services (Peter Stanyon) has been Deputy Electoral Registration Officer since 2009.  The Chief Executive is appointed Electoral Registration Officer.

2.               As a result of the departure of the Head of Electoral and Registration Services from the Council service with effect from 4 April 2016, there is need to appoint a new Deputy Registration Officer in accordance with the provisions of section 52 (2) of the Representation of the People Act 1983. 

3.               It was recommended that the interim head of Elections and Governance (James Kinsella) be appointed as Deputy Registration Officer. 

AGREED to formally approve the change in the Deputy Electoral Registration Officer arrangements with the Interim Head of Elections and Governance (James Kinsella) being appointed with effect from 4 April 2016. 

15.1    Urgent Questions (Part 4 - Paragraph 9.2.(b) of Constitution – Page 4-9)

With the permission of the Mayor, questions on urgent issues may be tabled with the proviso of a subsequent written response if the issue requires research or is considered by the Mayor to be minor.

Please note that the Mayor will decide whether a question is urgent or not.

The definition of an urgent question is “An issue which could not reasonably have been foreseen or anticipated prior to the deadline for the submission of questions and which needs to be considered before the next meeting of the Council.”

Submission of urgent questions to Council requires the Member when submitting the question to specify why the issue could not have been reasonably foreseen prior to the deadline and why it has to be considered before the next meeting.  A supplementary question is not permitted.

15.2    Councillors’ Questions (Part 4 – Paragraph 9.2(a) of Constitution – Page 4 - 8)

The list of forty eight questions and their written responses are attached to the agenda.

1.1           Urgent Questions

The following urgent question was received and the following response provided: 

Question from Councillor Neville to Councillor Taylor

1.a     Does he agree with me that the report from Lord Adonis’ National Infrastructure Commission on Crossrail 2, is an extremely welcome development for Enfield and for London as a whole.  It will particularly assist the eastern corridor and has the potential to transform Enfield both economically and geographically, making the borough an even better place to live and/or work.

1.b     Does he agree with me that the Chancellor’s budget statement agreeing to the next stage of funding is to be welcomed but that it is now in Enfield’s best interests to seek to secure the optional spur route to New Southgate which will offer maximum benefits to both Enfield and Barnet and should be vigorously pursued?

Reply from Councillor Taylor

Could I thank Councillor Neville for his question and I am pleased that he supports the principles behind Crossrail 2 (CR2).

I am clear that transport improvements are a necessary catalyst for beneficial growth and improvement. That is why I agreed to serve on the West Anglia task force chaired by Sir Alan Haselhurst. Getting an initial improvement in the line as a result of this work will dramatically assist the case for CR2 and good progress has been made in making the case.

In response to question 1.a:        

The Council is supportive of the central finding of the infrastructure Commission’s independent report that Crossrail 2 should be taken forward as a priority, subject to the wider recommendations within the report. The Commission recommended that sufficient development funds should be released so that a hybrid Bill for Crossrail 2 can be prepared, beginning with a revised business case to be submitted by March 2017.

Crossrail 2 has the potential to bring transformational physical and economic change across a significant part of Enfield and north London. It would help regenerate some of London’s most deprived communities and support the delivery of thousands of new homes and jobs.

Enfield has the capacity to grow and improve if the essential supporting transport and other social infrastructure are in place. The Council has commenced a review of its Local Plan to respond to the predicted and unprecedented rate of population growth and the need for new homes, infrastructure and jobs. 

The Council has been at the forefront of proactive engagement in contributing to the ongoing case building for Crossrail 2 and is working closely with the Mayor's Crossrail2 Growth Commission to explore further the potential for growth in the borough arising from Crossrail 2. The commission is due to visit us for a fourth time in April.

In response to question 1b:         

The Council welcomes the Chancellor’s announcement of an £80 million contribution to preparing the business case for Crossrail 2 but it falls short of the total funding required. This amount is required to be matched by Transport for London from various funding streams.

Given the recommendations of the National  ...  view the full minutes text for item 169.

Council is asked to note the details provided of a decision taken under the Council’s urgency procedure relating to the waiver of call in and where necessary the requirement for notice on the Key Decision List along with the reasons for urgency.  The decision has been made in accordance with the urgency procedures set out in Paragraph 17.3 of Chapter 4.2 (Scrutiny) and Paragraph 16 of Chapter 4.6 (Access to Information) of the Council’s Constitution. 

NOTED the details provided of a decision taken under the Council’s urgency procedures relating to a waiver of call in.  The decision has been made in accordance with the urgency procedures set out in Paragraph 17.3 of Chapter 4.2 (Scrutiny) and Paragraph 16 of Chapter 4.6 (Access to Information) of the Council’s Constitution.

·       Electric Quarter – Ponders End (Start on Site)

The following motions listed on the agenda lapsed due to lack of time: 

15.3    In the name of Councillor Alessandro Georgiou:

 “This Council recognises that the Union Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a symbol of Freedom and represents all that is great about the United Kingdom.

The Council will therefore have the Union Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland present in all full Council meetings.  The flag will have a prominent place either hanging behind the Mayor of Enfield’s chair or on a flagpole to the right of the Mayor.”

15.4    In the name of Councillor Alessandro Georgiou:

“In view of the fact that the Council has not acquired the site at Chase Farm Hospital for which outline planning permission was given for a three form entry primary school, and the locally based Lime Trust is keen to develop a free school on the site, the Council instructs the Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services to write Department for Education to support the upcoming bid of the Lime Trust to open a primary free school with three forms of entry on the site”.

15.5    In the name of Councillor Alessandro Georgiou:

“Homelessness is an issue that all councillors should fight to eradicate.  Helping those less fortunate is a pillar of civic service that is of the utmost importance.  The Council therefore agrees to publish on its website and through other means the details of all homeless shelters in the borough and charities that can assist those that are homeless, in particular those that offer services during the winter months.  This information will include contact details of homeless shelters and charities that are within the borough and other local authorities”. 

To confirm any changes notified to committee memberships.

Please note any changes notified once the final agenda has been published, will be tabled on the Council update sheet at the meeting. 

NOTED that there were no changes to any committee memberships.

To confirm the following changes notified to the nominations on outside bodies: 

1.               Lee Valley Heat Network Ltd

The LVHN HoldCo Articles of Association provide for the appointment of up to three independent directors (Article 20). They may be appointed by ordinary resolution or by decision of the Board (Article 21).

By Article 21.3, the Council has the right to appoint the first two independent directors. Thereafter, the appointments are with the Board to make (based on a selection process it decides is appropriate).

Having been through a selection process, involving the Association of Decentralised Energy (ADE), and interviews with the LVHN Managing Director, Chair and LVHN HoldCo Board the following two candidates (who both have extensive experience in the operation of decentralised energy schemes) have been recommended for appointment:

Mr Michael King BSc MSc FRSA; and

Dr Tim Rotheray PhD, Bsc (Hons)

Council is therefore asked to agree the appointment of both candidates as Non Executive/ Independent Directors on the LVHN HoldCo Ltd Board.

The appointments will be for an initial 6 month term of office.

2.               North London Waste Authority (NLWA)

Councillor N Cazimoglu to be replaced by Councillor Pite

Please note that any other changes notified once the final agenda has been published will be tabled on the Council update sheet at the meeting. 

NOTED that the change to the nomination to the North London Waste Authority included on the agenda had been withdrawn. 

AGREED to confirm the following nominations to Outside Bodies:

1.               Lee Valley Heat Network Ltd

Mr Michael King BSc MSc, FRSA and Dr Tim Rotheray PhD, BSc (Hons) to be appointed as non-executive/independent directors on the LVHN HoldCo Ltd Board for an initial six month period. 

None received. 

There were no called in decisions. 

To note that the next meeting of the Council will be Annual Council and will be held on Wednesday 11 May 2016 at 7pm at the Civic Centre. 

As this was the final Council meeting of the Municipal Year 2015-16, the Mayor took the opportunity to end the meeting by thanking, on behalf of all members of the Council, the Directors and officers for their support.

NOTED that the next meeting of the Council would be the Annual Meeting and Mayor Making Ceremony, which had been scheduled for 7.00pm on Wednesday 11 May 2016 at the Civic Centre.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the press and public from the meeting for the item of business listed on the part 2 of agenda on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006) as listed on the agenda.

AGREED in accordance with Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting for consideration of Item 1 listed on Part 2 of the agenda on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

To receive a report from the Director of Regeneration and Environment setting out a number of recommendations to progress the small housing sites phase 2 delivery.                                                                            (Report No.201)

(Key decision – reference number 4161)

The report will need to be read in conjunction with Report No:199 on the Part 1 Council agenda.

The attached report is due to be considered by Cabinet on 15 March 2016.  Subject to Cabinet approval of the recommendations, Council is being asked to include the capital budgets for the scheme in the HRA Capital Programme. 

The decisions made by Cabinet on 15 March 2016 will be reported to Council on the update sheet tabled at the meeting. 

(This document contains exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the finance or business affairs of any particular person including the authority holding that information) of Schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act as amended). 

RECEIVED a report from the Director of Regeneration & Environment (numbered 201) setting out a number of recommendations to progress the small housing sites phase 2 delivery. 

NOTED that

1.               The report had been submitted in conjunction with Report No:  199A on the Part 1 Agenda.

2.               Cabinet on 15 March 2016 had agreed the recommendations set out in the part 1 report and recommended that Council should approve the inclusion of the capital budgets for the scheme in the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme in the part 2 report.

AGREED to

1.               Approve the inclusion of the capital budgets for Padstow Road, Perry Mead and Hedge Hill in the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme.

2.               To note that in addition to the decisions in the Part 1 report Cabinet on 15 March 2016 had also given authority to the Director of Regeneration and Environment and the Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services to approve the final scheme budgets when tenders had been evaluated, and to appoint building contractors to start construction works and complete the schemes. 

To note that the Conservative Group would have abstained if there had been a vote on this report.